Man gets 15 years to life in fatal Yonkers stabbing

YONKERS – Days after celebrating his youngest son's birthday and days before marking his wedding anniversary, Henry DiMatteo, a cement mason and father of three, was fatally stabbed by a tenant who he believed had just stolen from him.

His killer, Keith Thigpen, 21, of Tarrytown, faced a maximum of 25 years to life in prison on second-degree murder charges but was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years to life in prison.

Thigpen and others implicated on robbery and burglary charges alleged that DiMatteo threatened Thigpen shortly before he was killed May 18, according to court records.

DiMatteo, who had rented a Yonkers apartment to Thigpen, was upset after learning that he had been robbed and burglarized, warning Thigpen to stay away and telling him if he returned to the building, he would be arrested by police or "leave in a box," according to a statement by co-defendant Adam Kirkland, 22, of Mount Vernon.

When DiMatteo arrived at the apartment building and went inside, he and Thigpen confronted one another. Thigpen stabbed him in the chest with a kitchen knife.

After the stabbing, Thigpen, Kirkland and a third co-defendant, Eric Chappelle, 21, of Mount Vernon, ran but were caught by police.

Kirkland, who pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and burglary, both felonies, was sentenced to 13 years in prison. The case against Chappelle, who was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery and first-degree burglary, all felonies, remains pending.

DiMatteo's widow, who was separated from him at the time of his death, submitted a victim impact statement asking the court for a harsh sentence.

"Henry would have been (50) years (old) on May 30th, 2014 and would have been young enough to continue being employed for many years to come," Gina DiMatteo said in her statement. "He should have had his life to live and times to enjoy, but because of Keith Thigpen all opportunities are gone. For that, I think Keith Thigpen should not have any opportunities to enjoy his remaining time."